Expansible grid for ice trays



Oct. 6, 1953 R. M. STORER 2,654,230

EXPANSIBLE GRID FOR ICE TRAYS Filed June 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Richard M. Storer BY ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1953 R. M. STORER EXPANSIBLE GRID FOR ICE TRAYS Filed June 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FlG.-4

Fla- 6 INVENTOR. Richard M. Sforer ATTORNEY R. M. STORER EXPANSIBLE GRID FOR ICE TRAYS Oct. 6, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 6, 1949 JNVENTOR. Richard M. Srorer ATTORNEY R. M. STORER EXPANSIBLE GRID FOR ICE TRAYS Oct. 6, 1953 -41 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June e, 1949 ulllum l INVENTOR. Richard M. Srorer BY dfd-jaym ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 6, 1953 UNITED STATEd ATENT OFFICE 2,654,230 EXPAN SIBLE GRID FOR ICE TRAYS Richard M. Storer, Denver, Colo. I

Application June 6, 1949, Serial No. 97,335

9 Claims. (01. (ta-108.5)

This invention relates to grids for ice trays and for ice tray and grid combinations of the type used in mechanical refrigerators, or the like. In general, the grids of the present invention may be classed as being of the lever-actuated type,

adapted to release ice blocks from the wall surfaces of the grid and from the pan in which said grid is positioned in the congealing action, when ice blocks are required.

Devices of this general type are well known in the art, and in particular, wall members formed by folded double-thickness sections have been used before, but in prior art devices, the ice release action has involved the production of an expanding or distorting force communicated progressively through a succession of division members lengthwise of the grid. In such an action, certain of the block-encompassing members expand or distort to a greater extent or degree than corresponding groups of such members in the succession, resulting in differential movement of the walls with some of the walls remaining in a fixed relative position which does not free the ice.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, durable and economical ice tray grid construction in which the several walls of the grid are of the plural section type and the several walls forming each ice block are expanded or distorted as a unit the same extent as other similar units of the assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of parts constituting a plural wall expanding-type grid which may be produced by metal stamping from a single piece of material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable and SfilClBIlt grid for ice trays, of the lever-actuatedtype, which will release all the formed ice blocks from the grid and tray surfaces by which they are formed, with a single movement of the lever requiring little effort.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be fully described in the course of the following description.

The inventive concept of the present invention is based on the formation of a unitary assembly consisting of sections of the lengthwise wall member and the cross wall members which are actuated by a single lever movement initiating an expansive force communicated through the succession of sections to a uniform degree in each of the divisions constituting an ice block-forming member, thereby effecting a complete severance of the bond between each said block and the adjoining wall and tray surfaces.

The practice of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, in the several views of which like parts aredesignated similarly,

Fig. l is a vertical section through an ice tray containing one form of grid embodying features of the present invention, and partially broken away to show the arrangement of interior parts of the grid;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the grid shown in Fig. 1, with the lever in the down or inactive position;

Fig. 3 is another top plan View of the grid shown in Fig. 1 with the lever in an elevated or actuating position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical central section taken along the line 4-4, Fig. 3; 7

Fig. '5 is an enlarged section through the grid with the tray and lever omitted and taken approximately'on the line 5-5, Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the grid shown in Fig. 2 with the lever in the inactive position;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of another form of grid embodying features of the present invention and partially broken to show the arrangement of interior parts; 1

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the grid shown in Fig. '7, with the lever in the inactive or down position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side'elevation of the grid shown in Fig.- 7, with the lever in the up or actuating position; 7

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the grid shown in Fig. '7 with thelever in the top position; r

1 Fig. 11 is a side elevation of stillanother form of grid embodying features of the present invention and partially broken to show the arrangement of interior parts;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the grid shown in Fig.- 11, with the lever in a down or inactive position;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of the grid in Fig. 11 with the lever in an up or actuating position; 7

Fig. 14 is a fragmentarytop plan view of the grid shown in Fig. 11 with the lever in an up or actuating position; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentaryexploded view of the linkage mechanism shown in Fig. 11.

' Referring to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 through 6, the grid G is of a size to fit within the interior of a tray T. This tray preferably is of the type having at least one sloping end wall as shown at 28, while the opposite end wall 2| preferably supports a levertype handle 22 for facilitating separation of the tray from the base support of the freezing container in which said tray is placed.

The grid G comprises a lengthwise wall member 25, and a series of cross wall members 25 disposed in uniformly spaced intervals along said lengthwise wall. At the end of the grid arranged to fit against wall 20 of tray T, the lengthwise member is curved so as to avoid contact with the tray bottom 23 from a point substantially spaced from end wall 20 and remaining out of contact with the lower portion of wall 28 but bearing against the upper portion of said wall.

In this form of the invention, the lengthwise wall member 25 is formed by -a plurality of coacting members, including a central plate section 25a having a recess 21 extending substantially throughout its length, and right and left hand covering sections 25a: and 253; respectively, interconnected along their bottom edges as shown at 23, Fig. 6. At its end remote from a lever 38, recess 21 is shouldered to limit movement of a link structure to be described hereinafter. The lever 30 is pivotally connected to section 25a as indicated at 3|, and has a pivotal connection 32 with a bifurcated link member 33, which makes a pivotal connection 34 through walls 25:: and 251/ with an end of a link mechanism in the form of an expansible assembly 36.

The assembly 36 comprises a series of S-shaped members 36a disposed in a prone position lengthwise of slot 2'! and so lapped that an upper end of one member is interlocked within the lower end of the adjoining member and normally spaced therefrom in said slot in such a way that movement communicated through link 33 and connection 34 to assembly 36 will cause adjoining members to move into contact and then continue said movement throughout th space limits provided. The movement of the link furthest removed from lever 30 is limited by the shoulder in recess 21 previously described. For purposes of identification said space bears the reference numeral 40. Registering opening 48a in the cover sections permit escape of ice formed in openings 40 when the lever is operated.

In order to provide the desired control of the expansion or distortion imparted to the grid members by the lever 30, cover sections 250: and and 25y are connected to plate section 250. at the end of member 25 remote from lever 39 by riveting or welding as indicated at 31. This point of connection becomes a fixed point in relation to various movements of the component parts of the grid structure in the actions to be subsequently described. To this end, each blockforming division includes an attachment 38 between one of said members 38a and the covering walls 25x and 253;, as will b best understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 4.

As will be best understood by comparing Figs. 1 and 4, actuation of lever 30 from the prone position to the upright position causes link 33 to draw assembly 36 away from fixed point 31 with the result that the individual members 36a close the spaces 40 (Fig. 1) and separate an equivalent distance at their opposite ends as indicated by the spaces 41a and Mb (Fig. 4). This movement causes a following movement of attached covering sections 251: and 25y resulting in the expansion or distortion of walls 25 and 26 as will be best understood by comparing Figs. 2 and 3.

With such a degree of relative movement between the several walls of each ice block-forming division, it will be apparent that ice formed in such division and bonded to the walls will have said bond broken by the movement, and the force exerted will shift the blocks relative to the tray bottom in addition, at least to an extent sunlcient to break the entire bond. At such time, a slight shaking movement of the grid imparted through lever 39 will permit withdrawal of the grid with the loosened ice blocks remaining in the tray.

While a variety of materials may be utilized in the formation of the grid of the present invention, such as aluminum, zinc plated copper or the like, I have found that stainless steel sheet can be readily formed into the desired shapes, and because of its highly polished and non-corrosive surface, may be used without special treatment as by waxing to prevent undue adherence of ice blocks to its surfaces. Likewise, through use of suitable dies, the exterior surfaces of the grid can be stamped as a unit from a single piece of stock greatly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Another form of this invention has been illustrated in Figs. '7 through 10. The grid G is formed to fit into a standard ice tray, such as the tray T (Fig. l). The lengthwise wall 25 and the cross walls 25 of this'form also are of the double-section, expansible type, and the cross Walls preferably are located at uniform intervals along the lengthwise wall.

In this form, the central wall section 251) preferably is of uniform width and thickness throughout substantially its entire length and supports lever 39 by the pivotal connection 3!, while the bifurcated link 33 in pivotal connection with lever 35 at 32 is held in pivotal connection with the covering sections Zirand 253 of the lengthwise wall member 25. As in the first form, the inner section 25b and the covering sections 25:0 and Edy are held against relative movement at the end remote from the lever by the rivet or other fixed attachment 31.

A series of clips 45 are mounted on the top surface of lengthwise wall 25 in straddling, pressed fit relation to the covering sections 250: and 253;. These clips have depending portions 46 at each end sufficiently spaced to provide a substantial clearance with respect to one section of each of the plural-section wall members 26. Movement of lever 38 from the inactive position shown in Fig. 7 to the upright position shown in Fig. 9 draws the covering members 25m and 25y lengthwise of the grid G relative to the fixed point 3'! causing an expansion or spreading of the cross wall sections as shown at 26 in 10.

The cooperative wall sections enclosing a given ice block are limited in the extent of their expansive movement by the gap between the depending portions 48 of the individual clips 45, and as these gaps are of uniform size the degree of expansion in each such enclosure is the same. Since this movement progresses from the point 3! to a point near pivot 3 I the Wall sections forming each ice-block enclosure throughout the length of the grid release the ice uniformly.

Still another form of the invention has been illustrated in Figs. 11 through 15. The grid G" of this form also is of a size to fit a standard ice tray such as the tray '1 of Fig. 1. The lengthwise wall 25 and cross walls 26 of this grid also are of the double-section expansible type and the cross walls in. the preferred arrangement. are spaced at uniform intervals along said lengthwise wall.

This form of grid also utilizes a central wall section 250 havinga recess 50 at its upper sur; face extending substantially throughout its length. Lever 39 has a pivotal connection 3'lwith section 25c and the link 33 is pivotally connected to lever 35 at 32 and to the link 5| andcovering sections 251: and 25g of wall 25 at 34. As in the other forms, the inner section 2.50 and the covering sections 25x and 25y are held against relative movement at the end remote from lever tii as indicated at 37., while each ice block-forming section has a rivet or welded connection 38 between a link 5| to be described and the covering sections 250: and 25y. 4

A series of the specially shaped link members 5i are mounted in end-to-end relation for sliding movement in recess 5t. As will be best understood by reference to Fig.; thelinks 5l-have a thickened upstanding lug 52, at one end and a laterally-extending flange. 53, inclusive of a folded-over portion 54 having a slot 55 in substantial alinement with the depending portion of link 5|. This arrangement permits lug 52 of one member to extend through slot 55 of the next member in the series and an aperture 56 permits interconnection of the covering sections 252: and 25y with each said link.

From the foregoing, itwill be apparent that when the lever is moved from the down to the up position, link members 5| are drawn lengthwise of recess 50 and away from fastening t'hthe extent of. such movement being limited by the range of movement of the lugs 52 in slots 55: This movement imparts the spreading action on cross walls 26 illustrated in Fig. 14 and effects the desired removal of the ice blocks formed by the respective wall members. Due tothe uniform size of the links and the uniformity of the unoccupied'space in -slots 55, uniform travel or spreading movement is impartedto each of the ice forming divisions, and, as covering sections 251 and 251; are fastened tothe individual links 5! the complete movement or distortion of each of the several divisions is uniform.

' In all the forms of grids illustrated herein the lever 30 adjacent pivot 3| is of substantially greater depth or thickness than in its remaining portion. The end of the central wall section supporting such lever is recessed to a" size to accommodate the enlarged portion'of the lever so that when the lever is in the down position no appreciable space between these parts is permitted. Preferably, the portion of the lever contacting said recessed portion is grooved to provide a close fit. Consequently the ice forming in the tray in the region of the lever and its support does not become lodged between the movable parts. Therefore when the lever is actuated there is no appreciable ice bond to be broken by lever 30 in its turning movement or by link 33 in its following movement. Consequently all the eifort expended is utilized in the spreading movement of the wall members to affect the separation of ice blocks as aforesaid.

One of the features of the leverage mechanism shown in the several forms of grids illustrated in the drawings, is the arrangement of the pivots 3!, 32 and 34 in the down position of the lever. The pivot 32 is positioned at a lower elevation than the other two pivots, thus requiring sufficient lever movement to raise this pivot to a higher elevation than the other two before the 6, linkage begins to drawthe assembly 36 away from the fixed point of attachment 31.

As a consequence, the individual wall sections are returned from the expanded to the retracted position and are positively locked in the latter position. Thus, when the grid is filled with water to form the ice blocks in the congealing action, there is no appreciable penertation between the wall sections, and no sticking of said sections in the ice release action initiated by the lever movement.

"What is claimed is:

1. An ice tray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally from the lengthwisewalls at spaced intervals along the same'and'deflning a plurality of ice-block forming sections on opposite sides of the grid, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite sides of said'central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls, a lever pivoted on said lengthwise member and having a link pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move the covering portions lengthwise of the grid, means for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, and movement-arresting means carried on said central portion and connected with said covering portions for limiting the expansive movement of each ice block-forming section.

2. An icetray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally from the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, 'andan exterior covering section for opposite sides of said central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls, alever pivoted on said lengthwise member and having alink pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move the covering portions lengthwise of the grid, means for holding saidcovering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, and movement-arresting means carried on said central portion including a member disposed in stradding relation to said cross walls with a surface engaging each said cross wall for limiting the expansive movement of the ice blockforming sections of said members.

3. An ice traygrid, comprising a lengthwise wall mem ber and a series of double-section cross wall member extending laterally from the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite'sides of said central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls, a lever pivoted on said lengthwise member and having a link pivotally connected t'o'said covering portions so as to move the covering'portions lengthwise of the grid, means connected with said central portion for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote 'from its lever-supporting end, and movement-arresting means carried on said central portion inclusive of stop members for limiting the expansive movements of the respective sections of the cross walls.

4. An ice tray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally from the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite sides of said central portion, said cross wall sections and said covering portions being formed as an integral structure with the covering sections interconnected at their bottom edges, a lever pivoted on said lengthwisememher and having a link pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move said covering portions lengthwise of the grid, means for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, and movement-arresting means carried on said central portion and connected with said covering portions for limiting the expansive movement of the ice block-forming sections of said members.

5. An ice tray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally from the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite sides of said central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls, a lever pivoted on said lengthwise member and'having a link pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move the covering portions lengthwise of the grid, means for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, and linkage mechanism mounted on said central portion and interconnected to said covering sections intermediate each two adjoining cross walls of the grid for expanding said cross walls to a uniform degree in the following movement of each lever actuation.

6. An ice tray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally from the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite sides of said central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls, a lever pivoted on said lengthwise member and having a link pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move the covering portions lengthwise of the grid, means for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, said central portion having a recess in its top portion extending substantially throughout its length, and linkage mechanism mounted in said recess and interconnected to said covering sections intermediate each two adjoining cross walls of the grid for expanding said cross walls to a uniform degree in the following movement of each lever actuation.

'7. An ice tray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally from the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite sides of said central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls,

a lever pivoted on said lengthwise member and having a link pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move the covering portions lengthwise of the grid, means for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, said central portion having a recess intermediate its top and bottom surfaces extending substantially throughout its length, and linkage mechanism mounted in said recess and interconnected to said covering sections intermediate each two adjoining cross walls of the grid for expanding said cross walls to a uniform degree in the following movement of each lever actuation.

8. An ice tray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally irom the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite sides of said central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls, a lever pivoted on said lengthwise member and having a link pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move the covering portions lengthwise of the grid, means for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, and means supported for slidable movement along the lengthwise member and arranged to engage surfaces of said covering section and thereby limit the expansive movement ofthe ice block-forming sections of said members.

9. An ice tray grid, comprising a lengthwise wall member and a series of double-section cross wall members extending laterally from the lengthwise walls at spaced intervals along the same, said lengthwise member comprising a central portion, and an exterior covering section for opposite sides of said central portion in integral connection with the sections of the cross walls, a lever pivoted on said lengthwise member and having a link pivotally connected to said covering portions so as to move the covering portions lengthwise of the grid, the three said pivot points being in substantial horizontal alinement when the lever is in the down position, with the central pivot at a lower elevation than the other said pivots, whereby the sections of the wall members are held against movement during ice formation in the grid, means for holding said covering portions in fixed relation to said central portion at a point adjacent the end of the grid remote from its lever-supporting end, and means carried on said lengthwise member for limiting the expansive movement of the ice blockforming sections of said members.

RICHARD 'M. STORER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,140,923 Saler 1 Dec. 20, 1938 2,145,719 Geyer 1 1 Jan. 31, 1939 2,286,080 Geyer June 9, 1942 2,416,119 Reeves -1 Feb. 18, 1947 2,516,257 Sampson July 25, 1950 2,518,373 Reeves Aug. 8, 1950 

